Automatic system to improve the operation of a weapon when changing an ammunition magazine

ABSTRACT

An advanced reloading mechanism for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon includes a firing chamber, a firing bolt and an ammunition magazine-well configured to receive an ammunition magazine with an outer casing. The outer casing of the magazine has a cavity and a spring driven follower in said cavity. An automatic magazine release mechanism is cooperated with an actuator of a first ammunition magazine, so that the first ammunition magazine is automatically released and expelled from the magazine well when the actuator reaches a predetermined position with respect to said magazine well. Further; a bolt catch mechanism is included to hold the firing bolt and chamber in an open position when a last bullet of the first ammunition magazine is fired. The bolt catch mechanism includes an extension pivotably attached to the weapon, being spring-loaded and extending into the magazine well of said weapon to operably cause said bolt catch mechanism to release said bolt and close said chamber when a second ammunition magazine is fully inserted into the ammunition magazine well.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application claims priority as a continuation-in-part application to parent U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/725,051, filed on May 29, 2015, the description and drawings of which are incorporated herein in the entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to ammunition magazines and related weapon parts for automatic and semi-automatic weapons. In particular, the present invention is directed to a modification in ammunition magazines and weapons to facilitate automatic ejection of an empty ammunition magazine and expedited reloading for firing rounds from a subsequent, loaded ammunition magazine.

BACKGROUND ART

The purpose of modern automatic weapons, whether used in semi-automatic or full automatic modes, is to provide fast, accurate placement of rounds downrange at a desired target or targets. Speed and precision are the objectives when using such arms as the M4 (described in an operations manual cited in an attached Information Disclosure Statement) or one of its many variations and embodiments. A number of these embodiments are listed in the subject cited operations manual. However, there are many types of magazine-fed weapons with similar characteristics, and the discussion of conventional art is not limited to the M4 family.

The major difficulty hindering the rapid fire of such weapons on a designated downrange target is the reloading cycle. The pauses or “downtime” occurring during the reloading cycle not only hinders the effective application of fire on a given target but also exposes the weapon operator to increased danger. Moreover, operators cannot easily protect themselves during those pauses. It is common for the weapon operator to lose sight of the target during the reloading cycle. If the weapon operator is engaged in competitive target shooting, the extra steps and the time expended for the reloading operations may put the weapon is operator at a competitive disadvantage.

There have been many techniques for dealing with this drawback. These solutions have included larger magazines (such as large “banana” magazines) and physically connecting magazines together so that it is easier to lay hands on the new magazine once the old one is expended. In other cases, infantry tactics mandate staggered firing and reloading cycles, so that teamed weapon operators might protect themselves and each other more effectively during the pauses caused by the reloading cycle. While some of these techniques have been moderately effective, they are in general complicated, and do not substantially decrease time lost during the reloading cycle. In particular, none of these techniques encompass the automatic ejection of the spent magazine and automatic weapon preparation to chamber a round from a new magazine, for a weapon such as the M4 (and its many variations and derivations from the original AR15/M16).

When using an automatic or semi-automatic weapon (such as an M4 or one s of its many variations, for example), it is conventionally necessary for the final round to be fired, and for the weapon operator to press a release button with one hand while pulling the spent ammunition magazine out with the other. Then, the weapon operator must drop the spent ammunition magazine, grab a new (i.e., loaded) ammunition magazine and slide it into the magazine-well or magazine-receiver of the weapon. The operator would then have to take the added step of pulling back on the bolt to put a new round in the firing chamber or, in the case of most automatic weapons, press a bolt release to automatically load the next round, before firing again.

Further, the ejection of an ammunition magazine (even if it can be performed automatically as described in Applicant's parent application), leads to certain difficulties which slow the reloading process. In particular with the M4, as soon as the empty magazine is automatically ejected from the weapon magazine-well, the bolt normally closes. This means that it is necessary to manually operate the bolt once a new (i.e., loaded) magazine is inserted to chamber the first round of the reloading ammunition magazine. The result is that the weapon operator is required to use one hand to operate the bolt and the other hand to operate the bolt catch release. As a result, the weapon operator's eyes are often taken away from the target, and the operator must move at least one hand away from the firing position. This complicates and lengthens the reloading cycle, often leading to error and/or undesirable results.

Automatic ejection of a spent ammunition magazine (as described in Applicant's parent application) helps to shorten the reloading cycle by reducing the necessary manual steps for the reloading process. However, this is not completely sufficient to provide a smooth, virtually automatic arrangement where an operator need only grab a new ammunition magazine and push it home into the weapon ammunition magazine-well. Rather, additional steps are still required in the reloading cycle. These steps create undesirable results in competition shooting and can lead to disastrous results in law enforcement and combat situations.

Under the pressures of combat and/or law enforcement use, “anything that can go wrong will go wrong” applies to reloading cycles. Accordingly, it is extremely important to make each cycle as short and efficient as possible, by reducing the number of physical steps and movements that the operator of the weapon must perform to effect the reloading process. This is extremely important for the security of the weapon operator. Also, while competitive rapid-fire shooting does not entail the stresses of combat, the desire for rapid, accurate fire is still present. Because of this, competitive shooters prefer to limit the number of operations needed for reloading to limit the time that the weapon is off target.

Accordingly, a fast and efficient simplification of the reloading cycle is needed to reduce the number of steps that the weapon operator must take during the reloading process and ultimately reduce the time necessary for the process. Moreover, automation of this process will benefit the weapon operator, especially if in combat or tense law enforcement situations and/or time-sensitive shooting completion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal goal of the present invention to facilitate the rapid and efficient reloading operation of an automatic or semi-automatic rifle, such as an M4 or one of its many variations. Therefore, the present invention reduces the number of physical operations or steps that a weapons operator must carry out when undergoing the reloading operation.

It is another object of the present invention to make minimal physical changes to an existing weapon to accommodate the present invention.

It is a further object of the present invention to facilitate the operation of the present invention with minimum alterations to standard weapons ammunition magazines.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an automatic release for the ammunition magazine once the last round from the ammunition magazine enters the weapon's firing chamber. Moreover, the present invention is includes an ammunition magazine release system that provides for easy, automatic removal of the ammunition magazine from the weapon.

It is again an additional object of the present invention to provide an automatic ammunition magazine release system that can be accommodated, for example, by including modifications to an otherwise standard ammunition magazine follower. The present invention may also include an innovative modification to an otherwise standard ammunition magazine housing.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an automatic ammunition magazine release system that can be adapted to a wide range of magazine-fed automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a system for removing ammunition magazines, by requiring fewer steps and movements of the weapon operator.

It is again another object of the present invention to provide an ammunition magazine release system that automatically controls the weapon bolt, so that the weapon operator may avoid manually operating the weapon bolt during the reloading cycle.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an ammunition magazine release system that automatically chambers the first round when a newly reloaded ammunition magazine is placed in the ammunition magazine-well of a weapon.

It is again a further object of the present invention to provide a system for reloading in which the weapon operator is required to use only one hand in the process.

It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide an ammunition magazine release system that allows the weapon operator to more easily keep sight on the target, without complication, interruption and/or distraction.

These and other goals and objects of the present invention are achieved by an automatic bolt control system for an ammunition magazine-fed automatic or semi-automatic weapon. In a typical situation, the weapon has an ammunition magazine-well and a manual bolt catch mechanism configured to hold and release the weapon bolt. Moreover, the control system in this case includes a spring position to hold the bolt catch mechanism in an open position when a last bullet of a first ammunition magazine is fired and a corresponding empty shell is automatically ejected from the weapon. Included is an extension of the bolt catch mechanism pivotally attached to the weapon, spring loaded, and extending into the magazine-well. In operation, the extension is used to automatically close the bolt when a second (i.e., reloaded) ammunition magazine is fully inserted into the magazine-well of the weapon.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for controlling the bolt of the automatic or semi-automatic weapon when replacing a first (i.e., spent) ammunition magazine from an ammunition magazine-well on the weapon. The process includes the step of automatically holding the bolt catch mechanism open by a catch mechanism being pivotally attached and spring-loaded to the weapon such that an arm of the catch mechanism extends into the magazine-well thereby catching and holding the bolt in an open position when a last bullet of the first ammunition magazine is fired and the corresponding shell automatically ejected from the weapon. The subsequent step includes closing the bolt catch mechanism when inserting a second (i.e., loaded) ammunition magazine into the ammunition magazine-well of the weapon, by contacting the arm extending into the magazine-well to pivot the catch mechanism, thereby releasing the bolt.

A further embodiment of the present invention is to provide an expedited reloading sequence for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon that is fast and easy, such that the firing chamber, in direct communication with a magazine-well, automatically receives a round from an external ammunition magazine when placed in the magazine-well. Specifically, the ammunition magazine in this case includes an outer casing having at least one aperture and a spring driven follower with a spring driven perpendicular prong or plunger extending through said aperture. The weapon further includes a magazine catch configured to hold an external ammunition magazine in the magazine-well and a bolt catch mechanism operable to hold the firing chamber open when an empty (i.e., spent) external magazine is removed from the magazine-well. In operation, the sequence typically includes moving rounds in the first ammunition magazine upwards through the magazine by means of a spring driven follower. When the last round of the magazine is placed in the firing chamber, the empty magazine is automatically is released from the magazine-well via the engagement prong or plunger. Then, when the last round is expended, the firing chamber is automatically held open. Subsequently, a new (i.e., loaded) ammunition magazine is placed in the magazine-well and the firing chamber automatically closes on a first round in a new magazine and the operator remains in a position to continue firing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the instant invention, for which reference should be made to the claims appended hereto. Other features, objects and advantages of this invention will become clear from the following more detailed description made with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a left, side view of the type of conventional automatic or semi-automatic weapon (M4) in which the present invention can operate.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the weapon depicted in Figure 1, identifying those parts of the conventional weapon that interact with both the present invention and that of the invention described in the parent application.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a conventional outer casing of an ammunition magazine.

FIG. 3B is a perspective depiction of the interior parts of the conventional is ammunition magazine of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional loaded ammunition magazine, depicting multiple rounds contained within the casing, and a mechanism on the outer casing for interfacing with the weapon of FIG. 1 for holding the magazine in the magazine-well of the weapon.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the weapon of FIG. 1, depicting a line for a cutaway for a sectional view for FIG. 6 to show the improvement described in this instant application which works with the otherwise conventional mechanism used for holding the magazine in the magazine-well of the weapon depicted by line 7A (for cutaway FIG. 7A) and line 8A (for cutaway FIG. 8A) to show an arrangement by which the weapon bolt can be interactively triggered or moved in response to a new loaded ammunition magazine being placed into the magazine-well.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line-6 depicted in FIG. 5, illustrating a partially full ammunition magazine held in operating position within a magazine-well of the weapon, and depicting the position and spacial relationship of an inventive prong or plunger used to release the magazine by subsequent contact with the magazine catch or holding extension.

FIG. 7A is a top sectional view along line-7A shown in FIG. 5, depicting the same partially full ammunition magazine caught in the magazine-well by a holding extension.

FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of FIG. 7A, better depicting the relationship between the magazine catch mechanism and the holding extension.

FIG. 8A is the top sectional view along line-8A shown in FIG. 5 (just above line-7A) with the structure of the present invention, including the interacting and spacial relationship between a modified bolt catch mechanism and the partially full ammunition magazine shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of FIG. 8A to better depict the relationship and alignment between the modified bolt catch mechanism and the ammunition magazine.

FIG. 9A is an enlarged perspective view of a conventional bolt catch mechanism.

FIG. 9B is another enlarged perspective view of the conventional bolt catch mechanism shown in FIG. 9A viewed from a slightly rotated direction to that of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is an enlarged perspective view of the bolt catch mechanism modified in accordance with the instant invention to include an extension arm.

FIG. 10B is an enlarged perspective view of the modified bolt catch mechanism viewed from a slightly rotated direction to that of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional bolt catch of FIGS. 9A and 9B, depicting its pivotal mount location on the casing of the weapon and showing a spring biased from below the pivot point.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the modified bolt catch mechanism of FIGS. 10A and 10B, depicting its pivotal mount location on the is casing of the weapon and showing a relatively stronger spring biased from above the pivotal point (i.e., opposite the spring biasing of the conventional bolt catch shown in FIG. 11).

FIG. 13 is a partially cut away view of a fully assembled weapon of FIG. 12, depicting the special relationship between the bolt catch mechanism and an ammunition magazine in the process of being inserted into the magazine-well.

FIG. 14 illustrates the same perspective view as FIG. 13, but altered by the ammunition magazine being in a full engaged position within the weapon, thereby pivoting the catch mechanism (via contact between a detent of the newly loaded ammunition magazine and the extension arm of FIG. 10A) to release the bolt from the catch mechanism and close the firing chamber on a first round of the new magazine.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of an ammunition magazine containing rounds, and modified in accordance with the present invention (including the invention of the parent application) for use as a single system for rapid reloading.

FIG. 15B illustrates the same ammunition magazine as FIG. 15A but with all the rounds expended.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view identified within line-16 depicted in FIG. 6, showing the internal mechanism and relationship between the modified magazine follower moving rounds into the firing chamber, the magazine release described in the parent application, and the inventive bolt catch mechanism of the instant application.

FIG. 17A is a sectional view taken in FIG. 5 along the lines-17A (similar to FIG. 6), but with this view depicting a last round of the ammunition magazine being moved to the firing chamber which, in turn, puts in motion the magazine release mechanism to engage the magazine holding extension so that the magazine automatically falls from the magazine-well, thereby putting in motion the bolt catch mechanism to prevent closure of the firing chamber upon firing the last round of the expended magazine.

FIG. 17B is an enlarged portion of FIG. 17A identified within line-17B, depicting details of the relationship between the ammunition magazine, the magazine release mechanism, and the bolt catch mechanism of the instant invention.

FIG. 17C is a depiction of FIG. 17B, but in which the ammunition magazine (released from the weapon magazine-well) has moved downwards, thereby activating the inventive bolt catch mechanism to hold the weapon bolt and firing chamber open upon firing the last round of the now expended magazine.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the ammunition magazine follower configured in accordance with the invention of the parent application for use in connection with the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the inventive ammunition magazine follower shown in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to automatic and semi-automatic weapons such as the M4, and its many variations, dating from the AR15/M16 to the present embodiments. More specifically, the present invention is directed to modifications of ammunition magazines and weapon parts that interface with the magazines for such weapons. Submitted as conventional art for this application is the instruction manual for the Bushmaster family of weapons. For illustrative purposes, parts of the Bushmaster manual dated 2005 have been incorporated into drawings of the present application as background for the application to better describe the invention with such firearms, although the instant invention may be used with other automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

The invention of the present application is related to that of the parent application, although a separately operative, inventive development. Moreover, the invention of the present application addresses a condition resulting from the invention of the parent application. Accordingly, for purposes of clarity, parts of the parent application will be discussed and summarized below.

In both the parent and the instant applications, the inventions are directed to interactive systems between a weapon and ammunition magazines. The ammunition magazine is modified from a standard conventional ammunition magazine. While the modifications to the ammunition magazine depicted in the drawings have been made to specifically fit the M4 family of weapons, other magazine-fed weapons (including both semi-automatic and automatic) can be adapted by incorporating the same modifications to the weapons and ammunition magazines as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art knowledgeable of the instant disclosures. This is true for the inventions of both the parent and the present application.

For a weapon to benefit from the inventions of both applications, that weapon should have a standard manual ammunition magazine release mechanism and a bolt catch mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, alterations in the ammunition magazines can be made to correspond to the exact location of the magazine catch and release mechanism on the particular weapon. The M4 Bushmaster, as depicted in the cited instruction manual, is used as a representative weapon with both the inventions of the present application and the parent application because of the adaptability of both inventions to this particular weapon. However, either of the two inventions can be adapted to other automatic/semi-automatic weapons having appropriate ammunition magazine catch and bolt catch configurations.

For clarity, in both the present and the parent applications, only those parts of the weapon that interact as part of a particular invention are designated in certain drawings. The other parts of the weapon are depicted in the drawings, but are not designated with numerals since they do not interact as part of a particular inventive system. For example, in conventional art FIG. 1, illustrative weapon 100 has only a limited number of parts designated with numerals. These are the parts most closely associated with the inventive alterations and/or additions.

Conventional art FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a weapon lock that is most relevant to the present invention. The parts depicted therein are found in a conventional M4 rifle. Those parts that relate to the inventive interactive system of the parent application include magazine release button 101 and magazine catch spring 102. Magazine release catch 104 is connected to the magazine release button 101 through an aperture 121 in the weapon casing or housing 120. The magazine catch 104 includes a holding extension 105 which interfaces with the external magazine 10 (shown in FIG. 4). It is noted that the invention of the parent eliminates the need to manually operate magazine release button 101.

Also identified in conventional art FIG. 2 are the parts of the bolt catch mechanism 160, which are associated with the new invention presented in the instant application. Bolt catch mechanism 160 includes an operating button 161, a plunger 162, a plunger spring 163, and an internal bolt catch engagement interface 164. It is noted that the spring and plunger bring the operating button 161 back to its normal position after it has been depressed to operate the weapon bolt 108, using mechanisms configured to interact with the bolt controls internal to casing/housing 120, in a conventional manner. A detailed depiction of the bolt catch mechanism 160 is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Operation of the standard bolt catch mechanism 160 in the M4 rifle is already documented and well-known. Consequently, no further discussion is necessary to appreciate the conventional operation of this mechanism.

In normal operation, the weapon operator must manually press magazine release button 101 to operate the magazine catch 104 and thus the holding extension 105 that holds the magazine to the weapon. Once the magazine release button is pressed, it is possible to pull ammunition magazine 10 from the magazine-well 110. This conventional operation requires extra movement on the part of the weapon operator, and as a result, the weapon is not easily held on target. Further, an often unacceptable amount of time is needed before the weapon can be put back in use and on target, due to the fact that both of the weapon operator's hands are needed to carry out the removal of the spent ammunition magazine 10.

In addition, a weapon operator must move his hand to operate bolt catch mechanism 160. This is necessary in order to close the bolt 108 when the normal operation of the weapon leaves the bolt open. However it should be understood that the release of an ammunition magazine 10 from the magazine-well 110 will cause the bolt 108 to normally close in an M4. To open the bolt to receive a new round from a new (i.e., loaded) ammunition magazine, the operator must manually pull the bolt 108 back once a new ammunition magazine is inserted into magazine-well 110. This creates substantial difficulty for the weapon operator who wants to continue to fire rapidly downrange without major pause and disruption. The key to addressing both of these time-consuming tasks lies in part with the ammunition magazine 10.

A conventional ammunition magazine is depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4. The magazine 10 illustrated in these Figures is adapted specifically for the M4 weapon. Accordingly, the inventive modifications for the interactive system in this case are depicted for this particular type of ammunition magazine, but the same design and concept can be applied to other weapon types with similarly configured magazines using modest changes and equivalencies. Moreover, the conventional ammunition magazine of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 includes a casing 11 and a follower 14. A base plate 12 is provided to support a spring 13 which drives follower 14. At the top of follower 14 is an upper support 15 to hold rounds, and a spacer 151 so that a double row of off-set rounds can be placed in the magazine 10. This is best seen in FIG. 4, where the double row of rounds 300 is vertically off-set from each other. This off-set configuration is shown more clearly with description of the instant invention in FIGS. 6 and 16. Upper curl 111 of casing 11 keeps the rounds 300 in place and positioned to enter the firing chamber 107 of the weapon 100.

The conventional casing 11 of ammunition magazine 10 also includes an aperture 16 and a catch lip 17. Both of these structures are sized and located to interact with holding extension 105 of magazine catch 104. This is the structure that conventionally holds the magazine within the magazine-well 110 of weapon 100. When the operator pushes the magazine release button 101, the entire magazine catch is moved outward away from the magazine-well 110 (i.e., the magazine holding extension 105 is pushed away from catch lip 17 on the magazine). This action allows the operator to then pull out the magazine 10 from the magazine-well 110.

Regarding the instant invention, FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged left side view of weapon 100. The purpose of this figure is to best illustrate the preferred embodiment of the instant invention using lines 6-6, 7A-7A and 8A-8A for corresponding sectional views of FIGS. 6, 7A, and 8A.

FIG. 17A is also taken along line 6-6, with respective enlarged views at FIGS. 16, 7B and 8B. Further, FIGS. 17A-17C, along with the exploded view in FIG. 19, depicts the preferred inventive structure added to a conventional follower 14 (shown in FIG. 3B), in accordance with the embodiment of the invention described in the parent application.

Conventional followers typically have spacing arms 147, 148, 149 (depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19) to properly maintain the follower 14 in proper position within the magazine casing 11. These spacer arms are necessary in conventional weapons to prevent the upper support 15 from being pushed too far into magazine casing 11 and ensure that the follower 14 is guided properly in its upward movement as the rounds 300 are expended. Even if a conventional follower is not provided with spacing arms 147, 148, 149, these could be added to facilitate installation of the structure preferred in the instant invention.

Inset body 141 illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, is set between spacer arms 147 and 148. Inset body 141 contains a concavity 142 in which a drive spring 144 and release prong 143 are placed. Release prong 143 extends through face plate 145, which is attached to the inset body 141 by means of any securing fastener (in this case screws 146A, 146B, 146C and 146D are shown).

Moreover, with the invention described in the parent application, it will be appreciated that the weapon operator does not have to press magazine release button 101 or pull ammunition magazine 10 from the magazine-well 110. Rather, the entire operation is made automatic by the invention as described. Once the last round 300 leaves ammunition magazine 10, whether this last round 300 has been fired or not, the automatic release and drop of the ammunition magazine 10 will occur without any effort on the part of the weapon operator. Moreover, the weapon operator can keep both hands in firing position and maintain the sighting of the weapon on the target downrange as the empty (i.e., spent) magazine is automatically released from the magazine-well.

To reload, the weapon operator need only grab a new (i.e., loaded) ammunition magazine 10 and “slam it home” into the magazine-well or receiver 110. This can be done while the weapon operator maintains the sighting of the weapon downrange on the target.

It should be noted that there is one drawback with the invention of the parent application (i.e, when ammunition magazine 10 automatically drops from magazine-well 110 and the last round from the empty magazine is fired, the weapon bolt 108 will automatically close). Under many circumstances, this is a desirable operation in order to protect the firing chamber. However, when the speed of the reload cycle is important, this automatic operation is a drawback. More specifically, when the weapon operator is replacing the spent ammunition magazine, it is necessary for the weapon operator to replace the spent magazine with a loaded magazine before firing the last round or (if the last round is fired) to manually operate the bolt 108 to allow the first round in the new ammunition magazine to be chambered. Therefore, in the second case (i.e., the last round is accidently fired), the weapon must be taken from the downrange aiming position and the operator must use both hands to operate the bolt 108 to chamber the first round of the new ammunition magazine. Again, this is a drawback in those situations that require maintaining sight on a downrange target and adds time between firings.

In order to address the drawback caused by the automatically closing bolt of the weapon 100, when the spent ammunition magazine 10 automatically drops from magazine-well 110 and the last round is fired before loading a new magazine, the invention of the present application is used. In particular, the present invention keeps the weapon bolt back and the chamber open to receive a new round from a new ammunition magazine. Once the new ammunition magazine is engaged in the magazine-well and first round in position, the bolt will automatically close, chambering the round for firing. This is done without need to manually operate the bolt catch mechanism 160, using operating button 161 as is required in the conventional art. To be clear, with the present invention, the bolt 108 does not have to be manually operated (with all of its undesirable consequences) by the weapon operator in order to chamber a new round from the newly loaded magazine.

The goal of the present invention, which is further improvement from the operation of the invention of the parent application, is to keep the bolt open so that a round from the new ammunition magazine can be chambered without manually operating the weapon bolt. This is accomplished by a modification of the bolt catch mechanism 160 (conventionally depicted in FIGS. 9A, 9B and shown as preferably modified in FIGS. 10A, 10B), and located with respect to weapon casing/housing 120 depicted in FIG. 12.

At the expense of being repetitive, the conventional bolt catch mechanism 160 of FIGS. 9A, 9B is operated using operating button 161 to move the internal bolt catch engagement interface 164 within the weapon to trigger the closing of the weapon bolt. The operation of the internal engagement interface 164 is already well-known, and does not change with the present invention. Likewise, the operating button 161 and pivot pin 165 (through pivot aperture 166) are used in the conventional manner, and are unchanged by the present invention. It is noted that plunger 162 (in FIG. 11) and its associated spring 163 mounted below the pivot pin 165 are conventionally necessary for the return operation of the bolt catch mechanism 160 when its operating button 161 is pressed inward towards the weapon.

As modified by the present invention, plunger spring 163 is not necessary due to pressure spring 175 (seen in FIG. 12) which serves to keep bolt catch mechanism 160 from being easily operated, by adding pressure in the opposite rotational direction (i.e., above the pivot pin 165) behind the operating button 161 (positioned in depression 176 shown in FIG. 10B), for the bolt catch mechanism 160 to be moved in a manner whereby the internal engagement interface 164 releases the weapon bolt for closing. Moreover, pressure spring 175 and consequently the internal engagement interface 164, hold the weapon bolt to keep it from closing. As a result, the bolt catch assembly 160 operating button 161 must be forcefully operated to manually overcome the pressure of spring 175, thereby depressing it so that the weapon bolt will close.

The present invention further includes a mechanism by which the weapon bolt is automatically closed in response to the new ammunition magazine 10 being placed and secured in position in the magazine-well 110. This structure includes the extension arm 170 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. The extension arm 170 has a U-shaped portion 172 with a beveled end 173 and an opposite connection portion 171 extending below the pivot pin 165 of the bolt catch assembly 160. In operation, the beveled end 173 interacts with a detent structure 181 on the modified ammunition magazine 10. More specifically, the extension arm 170 passes into the magazine-well 110 by means of aperture 180 as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 16, 17A, 17B and 17C. There is contact interaction between the beveled end 173 of extension arm 170 and the detent 181 of the ammunition magazine 10 as the magazine is pushed and secured into magazine-well 110. This is crucial to the operation of the present invention.

Specifically, the extension arm 170 facilitates the key operation of the present invention, in that beveled edge 173 interfaces with detent 181 on case 11 of the ammunition magazine 10. The detent is positioned so that it is aligned opposite aperture 180 in the ammunition magazine-well 110. The beveled end 173 with extension arm 170, therefore, extends through aperture 180 to interface with detent 181. Therefore, as the ammunition magazine 10 is moved upwards and into magazine-well 110, the ramped profile of detent 181 contacts and forces the beveled end 173 (and thus extension arm 170) to rotate outwards through aperture 180 about pivot pin 165, as best seen with reference to FIGS. 17B and 17C. As a result, inserting the new ammunition magazine 10 into the magazine-well 110 automatically operates the bolt catch mechanism 160 (and thus releases the contact is interaction between internal engagement interface 164 with the weapon bolt 108 to close the firing chamber 107) without any further action on the part of the weapon operator. Notably, the automatic removal of the spent magazine as described above causes rotation in the opposite direction (i.e., inwards through aperture 180 about pivot pin 165) for contact engagement between the internal engagement interface 164 and the weapon bolt 108, to hold the firing chamber 107 open.

The placement and dimensions of extension arm 170 are adaptable, and can vary from weapon to weapon. The inventive adaptations described above are not difficult to apply to the M4 family of weapons. FIGS. 6 and 16, along with FIGS. 17A-17C, depict the placement of extension arm 170 with regard to the height and spaced relationship of the weapon 100 and ammunition magazine 10. These figures also depict the point at which aperture 180 permits the interface between the beveled end 173 of the extension arm 170 and the casing 11 of ammunition magazine 10. Also depicted is the relationship between the magazine follower 14 and the magazine holding extension 105 that interfaces with casing 11. Thus, the vertical relationships between the weapon 100, the ammunition magazine 10, and all of the inventive features of both the present application and the parent application are fully depicted. Further, FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the horizontal placement of the inventive extension arm 170 with respect to weapon 100 and ammunition magazine 10. It should be understood that with different variations of the M4, as well as other types of automatic and semi-automatic weapons, the size of extension arm 170 can vary to accommodate each situation.

The modifications to the instant bolt catch mechanism 160 are further depicted in the exploded view shown in FIG. 12. The addition of pressure spring 175 and extension arm 170 are modifications that do not drastically alter the conventional bolt catch mechanism 160, and are thus implemented without much difficulty. However, these inventive additions provide a profound change in the operation of weapon 100.

To be clear, in operation, as the magazine 10 is forced upward in the magazine-well 110, the detent 181 in the magazine casing 11 ramps outward and pushes against the beveled end 173 of extension arm 170 passing through aperture 180. More specifically, the depth of the detent 181 is much greater near the top of the magazine where it first makes contact with beveled end 173. FIG. 13 depicts this initial contact when the ammunition magazine 10 is being inserted into magazine-well 110. As also depicted in FIG. 13, pressure spring 175 keeps operating button 161 of bolt catch mechanism 160 from being easily pushed towards the casing/housing 120 of the weapon 100. The beveled end 173 of extension arm 170 is on the beginning of detent 181, and so very little force is being exerted on beveled end 173 by detent 181 against the spring 175.

Since the detent 181 ramps outward (extending down the magazine casing 11), the detent 181 forces extension arm 170 outward by pushing beveled end 173 further out of aperture 180, as the ammunition magazine 10 is pushed upward into the magazine-well 110. The force created by the movement of the ammunition magazine 10 into the magazine-well 110 is sufficient to overcome the force of pressure spring 175, moving the operating button 161 towards the weapon housing 120, thereby operating the bolt catch mechanism to close the firing chamber 107. This does not occur, however, until the ammunition magazine 10 is all the way into the magazine-well 110 (i.e., in the seated position such that the first round 300 in the ammunition magazine simultaneously enters the firing chamber 107 as it closes).

FIG. 14 best depicts the point in the operation in which the ammunition magazine 10 has been fully inserted into the magazine-well 110. As indicated by the arrows, the force exerted by the outwardly ramped detent 181 forces extension arm 170 outward, driving operating button 161 against the pressure of pressure spring 175. The result is that the bolt closes on round 300 as soon as the ammunition magazine 10 is fully engaged in the magazine-well 110. This operation is automatic upon seating the new ammunition magazine 10 fully into the magazine-well 110, without the weapon operator having to manually conduct any other action. This means that with one hand, the weapon operator can replace an ammunition magazine and automatically operated the bolt 108. Moreover, the weapon operator does not have to divert attention from sighting downrange.

The advantage of the instant invention is clear. When combined with the automatic magazine release mechanism of the parent application (wherein the ammunition magazine automatically releases and falls from the magazine-well 110 without manual effort on the part of the weapon operator), the present automatic bolt release mechanism described herein allows the weapon operator to fire the last round of the spent ammunition magazine, insert the new (i.e., loaded) magazine, and continue operation. The weapon bolt, which would normally close upon firing the last round, is automatically held open, and the weapon operator does no more than slip and seat another ammunition magazine 10 into the magazine-well. Placement of the loaded magazine 10 fully within the magazine-well 110 automatically operates the weapon bolt 108 to chamber the first round 300 of said magazine.

FIG. 16 depicts an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 6 (based upon the lines in FIG. 5) and illustrates the top of the ammunition magazine 10 seated in magazine-well 110. The relationship between magazine release mechanism (holding extension 105) and the ammunition magazine casing 11 is clearly shown. Also depicted is the location of extension arm 170 passing through aperture 180 and the ramped shape of detent 181 in magazine casing 11. Further illustrated is follower 14 pushing rounds 300 upward and into the firing chamber 107.

In operating sequence, FIG. 17A shows an empty chamber (i.e., the last round 300 shown in FIG. 16 has been pushed into the firing chamber by follower 14 and fired). At the point that last round 300 is pushed into the firing chamber 107, the follower 14 has reached a position where plunger or prong 143 pushes against holding extension 105, so as to release the empty ammunition magazine 10 from magazine-well 110. The spent magazine 10 will begin to fall from the magazine well 110. Notably, a slot or depression 18 is preferably included in the magazine casing 11 (as seen in FIGS. 15A, 15B, after catch lip 17 and aperture 16—separated by stop 19) to eliminate frictional contact by holding extension 105 (i.e., to provide free-fall of the spent magazine as extension 105 returns to its extended position as the magazine begins its descent from the magazine-well 110).

With further reference to FIGS. 17A (as well as the enlarged illustrations at FIGS. 17B, 17C), as the spent magazine 110 begins its descent from the magazine-well 110, the extension arm 170 (which starts from the position depicted in FIG. 17A, 17B) begins to rotate bolt catch mechanism 160 inward about pivot pin 165. Now, viewing FIG. 17C, the release and descent of the spent magazine 10 from the magazine-well has already occurred (i.e., the ammunition magazine 10 is moving downward by gravity out of the magazine-well 110). It should be noted that extension arm 170 continues to press against casing 11 of the descending magazine 10. Moreover, the force of pressure spring 175 against the back of operating button 161 rotates the extension arm 170 and its beveled end 173 further into aperture 180 until the end of the descending magazine passes. Then, upon firing the last round of the empty magazine 10, the bolt catch mechanism 160 will have pivoted into position to hold the bolt 108 and, consequently, the firing chamber 107 open.

As a result, the weapon operator need use only one hand for reloading, and does not have to deviate from sighting downrange from a fully operational firing position. The result is a much faster reloading cycle that does not interfere with the weapon operator's ability to maintain focus downrange. The combination of the invention of the parent application with that of the present application creates a streamlined system for expedited reloading that reduces the effort required by the weapon operator. Importantly, the weapon operator need not lose focus on downrange targets.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in the document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While the preferred embodiments have been described by way of example, the present invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the present invention should be understood to include any and all limitations, modifications, variations, embodiments, derivations, and adaptations that would occur to one skilled in this technology after understanding the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention should be limited only by the breadth of the following claims. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A reloading sequence for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon having a firing chamber and an ammunition magazine-well configured to receive an ammunition magazine with an outer casing, said outer casing having a cavity and a spring driven follower in said cavity, said weapon further including a magazine catch configured to hold the magazine in said magazine-well, a bolt catch mechanism operable to hold open the firing chamber when said external magazine is removed from said magazine-well, said sequence comprising the steps of: a) firing said weapon thereby advancing rounds in a first external ammunition magazine toward the firing chamber; b) moving a last round into said firing chamber and automatically releasing said first ammunition magazine from said magazine-well; c) automatically holding said firing chamber open after spending said last round; and, d) manually placing a second ammunition magazine in said magazine-well to automatically close said firing chamber on a first round from said second ammunition magazine by sliding said ammunition magazine upwards into said magazine-well to engage said magazine catch.
 2. A reloading process for an automatic or semi-automatic, weapon controlled by manual placement of ammunition magazines in said weapon to maintain a continuous firing capability, said process comprising the steps of: a) discharging said weapon to chamber a last round of a first ammunition magazine that automatically releases said first ammunition magazine from said weapon; b) firing said last round and substantially simultaneously holding said firing chamber open automatically; and, c) manually placing a second ammunition magazine in said weapon that activates automatic chambering of a first round from said second ammunition magazine and closes said chamber.
 3. A reloading system for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon, said weapon having a magazine well, a firing chamber and a bolt, said system configured to facilitate reloading, comprising: a) a magazine release mechanism cooperating with an actuator of a first ammunition magazine, so that said first ammunition magazine is automatically released and expelled from the magazine-well when said actuator reaches a predetermined position with respect to said well; and, b) a bolt catch control mechanism configured to hold said weapon bolt and retain the chamber open when a last round from the first ammunition magazine is fired, and said bolt catch control mechanism further configured to close said bolt when a second ammunition magazine reaches a predetermined position in said magazine-well of the weapon.
 4. An automatic bolt control system for an automatic or semi-automatic weapon, said weapon having an ammunition magazine well, a firing chamber and a firing bolt, the bolt control system comprising: a) an automatic magazine release mechanism cooperating with an actuator of a first ammunition magazine, so that said first ammunition magazine is automatically released and expelled from the magazine well when said actuator reaches a predetermined position with respect to said magazine-well; and, b) a bolt catch mechanism to hold the bolt and firing chamber in an open position when a last bullet of the first ammunition magazine is fired and a corresponding shell is automatically ejected from said firing is chamber, said bolt catch mechanism having an extension arm pivotably attached to the weapon, being spring-loaded and extending into the magazine-well of said weapon to operably cause said bolt catch mechanism to release said bolt and close said chamber when a second ammunition magazine is fully inserted into the ammunition magazine-well.
 5. The automatic bolt control system of claim 4, wherein said second ammunition magazine includes a casing having a detent sloping from a point where said extension arm enters said magazine well to the top of said casing.
 6. The automatic bolt control system of claim 5, wherein said bolt catch mechanism is operable to release said bolt and close the firing chamber when said second ammunition magazine is fully inserted in said ammunition magazine well.
 7. The automatic bolt control system of claim 6, wherein said extension arm on said bolt catch mechanism comprises a beveled end.
 8. The automatic bolt control system of claim 7, wherein said beveled end is aligned to contact and pass over said sloped detent on said second magazine casing to move the extension arm to operate said bolt catch mechanism to release said bolt.
 9. The automatic bolt control system of claim 8, wherein said bolt catch is mechanism comprises: a) an operating button pivotally connected by a pivot pin; b) a bolt catch engagement interface; and, c) control spring arranged between said operating button and an outer casing of said weapon.
 10. The automatic bolt control system of claim 9, wherein said control spring forces said operating button away from said weapon casing to maintain said weapon bolt and said chamber in an open position until the second ammunition magazine is fully inserted into the magazine well.
 11. The automatic bolt control system of claim 8, wherein said firing chamber automatically closes upon fully inserting said second ammunition magazine in said magazine-well.
 12. A process for controlling the bolt of a semi-automatic or automatic weapon, said weapon having a bolt, firing chamber, and bolt catch mechanism configured to hold and release the said bolt, said process comprising the steps of: a) automatically releasing a first ammunition magazine from the magazine well when an actuator of said first ammunition magazine reaches a predetermined position with respect to said magazine-well; b) automatically catching said bolt and holding said firing chamber in an open position when a last round from said first ammunition magazine is fired and a corresponding shell is ejected from said weapon, the bolt catch mechanism being spring-loaded and pivotably attached to the weapon so that an engagement arm extends into the magazine-well; and, b) closing said bolt catch mechanism by inserting a second ammunition magazine in said magazine-well by contacting said engagement arm extending into the magazine-well to pivot the catch mechanism to release said bolt.
 13. The process of claim 12, wherein said bolt is released and said firing chamber closes upon seating said ammunition magazine in said magazine-well.
 14. The process of claim 13, wherein no manual action is needed to release said bolt and close said chamber other than inserting and seating said second ammunition magazine in said magazine well. 